WKSU News: President focuses on small business

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 President focuses on small business Forum at CSU brings Washington to Cleveland by WKSU's M.L. SCHULTZE	Web Editor M.L. Schultze

President Obama told forum attendees that he was not in town to talk, but to listen to business owners and entrepreneurs.

Courtesy of Dawn Einsel

About a hundred small-business men and women gathered in sessions with President Obama in Cleveland today. They pressed him on everything from tax policy to getting customers – including the government – to pay up more quickly.

The president lauded businesses, trade groups and universities that are working in clusters in Ohio to boost each other.

One is Kent Displays. It began with research at Kent State University and is part of Nortech’s “flex matters” cluster – which is focused on the development of flexible electronics for use in everything from clothes to medical devices.

The president says the company’s president, Albert Green, wants to expand Kent’s global reach.

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Washington came to Cleveland for President Obama's small business forum focused on local economies. The Cleveland State University Wolstein Center was the site of the president's remarks and the forum's break out sessions.

Local business owners, entrepreneurs, and some students participated in the small business forum. President Obama, along with a few members of his cabinet, listened to their ideas and concerns.

One of the biggest complaints the president heard from the business owners is how hard it is for them to get access to capital. Some said taxes soak up funds needed to reinvest in their businesses.

The president noted that his administration has cut taxes 17 times, including eliminating capital gains taxes on small business investments.

Northeast Ohio businesses that make everything from electronics to ribs got attention from President Obama today.

They were part of a small-business forum set up by the president and his top economic advisers to pick the brains of entrepreneurs about what they want from the government and what they can teach the government. The president emphasized cooperative ventures.

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Bubba, otherwise known as former Cleveland Brown Al “Bubba” Baker, was one of those who pressed the president in a small group session about how hard it is to get capital to reinvest in businesses. Some said taxes soak up funds needed to expand.